Even those who weren't big fans of Broadway were saddened by the untimely death of actor Nick Cordero. Nick was only 41 when he died from complications of the coronavirus. Prior to his death, his wife Amanda shared updates, always hoping for the best.
The story is even more heartbreaking because Nick left behind his 1-year-old son, Elvis. Elvis was born in June 2019 and had many milestones while Nick was hospitalized.
Nick and Amanda met in 2014 on the stage of Bullets Over Broadway. At the time, Amanda was getting over a divorce. The two started out as friends, but then their connection grew. By 2016, the two were living together.
On September 3, 2017, they got married in New York City. She announced her pregnancy at the end of 2018, and Elvis was born the following June. At the time, neither knew that tragedy would cut their love story short.
Amanda's updates about Nick were heartbreaking to all new parents. Elvis was the first child for both of them, and they looked forward to parenting together. But Nick's lengthy hospital stay made him miss out on time with his son. Eventually, he needed to have his leg amputated. As time went on, his battle got harder. It was a reminder to everyone that there's still so much that's unknown about this virus.
"Nick always said we were completely different people that normally would never be together," Amanda wrote on Instagram, per Prevention. "We challenged each other and in doing so caused each other to grow and change. We pushed each other's buttons in the best of ways."
"He would always look at me and say, 'I'm the luckiest.' Well darling, I was the luckiest to get to spend five years with you and to share a son that will always remind me of you," she continued. The family had just bought a house in Los Angeles in February 2020.
"Our first family photo in our new home, before we start renovations!" Amanda wrote in the caption of the photo. "We walked in yesterday for the first time feeling so incredibly grateful. I've been told you never forget your first home. It's where Elvis will take his first steps and say his first words."
And as it turns out, the latter just happened. Elvis said his first word. In fact, it was more of a phrase. Of course, as fate would predict, Nick had something to do with it. Despite not seeing his father in a long time, Elvis still knows how special he was.
Amanda shared the moment on Instagram. "Elvis said his first words today!! Listen closely!" she wrote. "He pointed at Nick in our new picture light and said 'right there.' He hasn't seen Nick since March 30th. The fact that he still knows who his Dada is, point to him and give him a kiss to me is amazing."
The video itself is heartbreaking — but then it takes a funny turn, after Elvis accidentally dismantles the light. It's nice that Amanda included that moment within the video, proving that at the end of the day, Elvis is still a 1-year-old. But he's growing more every day.
But at the same time, Amanda is bracing herself for what's ahead. Based on Nick's illness, the two were never fully able to move into their home. Now Amanda is taking on the responsibility by herself, which is likely very difficult. When they bought it together just months ago, they couldn't have predicted this outcome.
"Heading back to Los Angeles today with a brave face," she admitted to her fans. "These next couple weeks I will start the transition of moving into the home Nick and I bought together. I'm not expecting this to be easy, in fact I think it will be very hard, but I'm going into it knowing I need to be strong."
And she knows it's important to keep that strength up for Elvis. "I have to find my new normal, at least whatever that is for Elvis and I right now," she said. "I know Nick will be with us. He wanted to live in this house more than anything so I'll put lots of family photos up and make sure his presence is with us."
While Nick was in the hospital, Amanda and her son were reportedly staying with actor Zach Braff, who is a family friend — and a dear supporter of Nick. "Well, I am OK, but I'm very close to this because one of my best friends in the world, Nick Cordero, and his wife and baby have been living in my guest house for seven months as they were house-shopping in L.A. to make the move out here," Zach said to The Hollywood Reporter, prior to Nick's death.
"Nick's a big Broadway star and Amanda, his wife, is a trainer and they fell in love with L.A. So, they went home to pack up their things and he got COVID-19 when they did that, and he has it worse than anyone I've heard of who hasn't passed away," Zach continued. "I think a lot of people are still under the impression that this is only really dire for seniors, but I'm here to tell you that a very, very healthy 41-year-old friend of mine is fighting for his life."
In the interview, Zach also made a point to compliment Amanda on how she handled the hospitalization. "He's a very beloved man, one of the kindest people you'll ever meet, and he was on Blue Bloods, too, so all of these different communities that he's touched are coming together," Zach said. "Every day at 3 p.m. she does this thing where she plays his song and people all over the world play it, too. It's all very, very moving. And my neighborhood has rallied around her as well."
Nick was in the hospital for 13 weeks before he died. According to People magazine, Amanda is leaning on friends and families to help her through the grieving process. Of course, it's never easy — and based on the love they had, it's apparent that Nick will always be a big part of her life.
"[A friend and I] started talking about grief and grieving and she said, 'Amanda, it would be a great thing for you if you found something that was new for yourself right now, that is new that you haven't done before, that doesn't have any attachment to your past with Nick and your past as Nick and Amanda,'" she said. She admitted she liked the idea, but wasn't sure what that thing would be just yet. It's just good to know that throughout everything, Amanda and her son have such a strong support group by their side.
